TYCHE #2
To the west was the Ordas, which was covered in thick jungle and creatures determined to eat your face. It was far more passable than the mountains, but incredibly deadly.
The fastest route to the capital was by sea, but any enemy invaders faced Caspagir’s formidable navy.
Tyche hadn’t watched the development of New Rosanthe’s and Caspagir’s naval forces, but he’d listened to more than a few armchair warriors debate the strengths and weaknesses of the two over a few pints of beer.
Regardless of whether they called themselves the Federation of Order or New Rosanthe, the result was the same—they were in for a hell of a fight.
As Tyche was finishing his coffee, the sound from the yacht’s engines changed, and the ship slowed.
“We’re docking,” Shey announced without looking up. “Please go see if the car has arrived yet.”
Blevins straightened and saluted. “Yes, Your Highness.”
As soon as they were alone, Tyche put his mug on a nearby table and darted across the room. His heart was pounding at his own daring. But if Shey could do it, he could as well, right? It was only fair.
He braced one hand on the table near Shey to steady his balance and leaned in close, acting as if he were trying to read over the prince’s shoulder.
“Shey?” Tyche whispered.
Shey lifted his head to gaze at Tyche, and the God of Luck pressed his lips to Shey’s soft, parted ones, stealing a kiss.
For a heartbeat, Shey remained frozen, but as Tyche was doubting himself, Shey relaxed and eagerly returned the kiss.
Tyche started to draw away, but a warm hand cupped his cheek, holding him in place so Shey could steal several more passionate kisses that were turning Tyche’s knees into jelly.
The prince wouldn’t mind if he just climbed into his lap.
Standing and kissing was difficult. Kissing would be much easier from Shey’s lap.
However, before he could enact this new plan, Shey released Tyche and put his hand on the table as he ended the kiss.
“What was that for?” Shey’s voice had become warm and husky, like dark coffee pouring down Tyche’s throat.
Tyche perched his hip on the table and smirked. “I thought you needed a kiss for being so productive and commanding.”
“I have a feeling that you’re going to want to take that kiss back after I tell you something.
” That was not reassuring in the least. Tyche slid to his feet and stared at the prince, waiting for him to continue so he could decide whether to curse him with bad luck.
“That car I asked about was for you. I’m sending you to the palace.
I’m going to take a different vehicle to the wall.
Troops have been amassing outside the city, and I need to oversee our defenses. ”
Okay, maybe it wasn’t a good idea to give him bad luck.
“Why don’t I go with you to the wall? You could use a little extra protection, right? Just a touch of good luck.”
The look in Shey’s eyes softened, and Tyche’s heart started a complicated gymnastics routine.
“I can always use some good luck, but I worry about your safety. Information is still coming in. We don’t know how chaotic it is yet, and I don’t think you can use your good luck on that many soldiers.
I’d rather you stayed safe in the palace.
Wait for Adrian and Haru to join you. I should be at the palace by dawn. We can meet with Vitor tomorrow.”
There was no way Tyche was agreeing to meet anyone at dawn if he could help it, but he got what Shey was saying.
As much as he wanted to stay by the prince’s side, he’d be more of a hindrance than a help under those circumstances.
If Shey’s life was going to be in danger, he didn’t want to make things worse by being a distraction.
Of course, he didn’t want to meet Shey’s family alone either, but with the threat from the Federation of Order, it wasn’t like they were going to have time for him. He’d shuffle off to some fancy room to eat and sleep until Shey returned.
Tyche folded his arms across his chest. “Fine, but don’t get yourself killed. I’ll be pissed.”
“I promise.” Shey leaned in and Tyche moved as well, ready to meet him for another kiss when Blevins loudly cleared his throat from the doorway, stopping them both.
This sailor was about to get hit with a year’s worth of bad luck.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but the car is waiting.”
They parted ways without another kiss. Tyche ducked into his cabin to grab his bag of clothes and a few interesting keepsakes he’d gotten while on the Isle of Stone.
Nothing too unwieldy. Just some packets of dragon tea, a scroll painting of the mountains one of the Omari dragons had made, and a couple of small, smooth stones to remind him that he had walked among the dragons and hadn’t been eaten.
Plus, if Nori didn’t end up agreeing to give him a plot of land with a hut and room for growing coffee, at least he’d get to take a bit of the island with him to keep.
He found Shey waiting for him with a similar bag hanging from his shoulder. It seemed as if it held nothing more than the contents of his temporary office. There were plenty of other people around to pack the prince’s clothes and other sundries.
“Ready?” Shey inquired.
Tyche nodded. “Ready to not be on a ship.” The trip from the Isle of Stone had taken approximately a week and had been smooth sailing, but Tyche was done with being on the water.
Prince Shey led the way down the gangplank to the harbor.
Tyche followed a step behind, his gaze swinging wildly over the area.
There had to be at least fifty armed soldiers positioned on the dock, protecting their prince and guarding against assassins.
There was a large black SUV at the bottom of the gangplank with one of the rear doors open and waiting for him.
At the car, Prince Shey motioned for Tyche to climb in. “Someone will meet you at the palace and see to all your needs. Haru and Adrian will arrive in the next couple of hours, I’m sure. I’ll try to be back from the wall tonight, but I probably won’t see you until tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” one of the bulky guards holding the car door open cut in, “but Her Majesty has ordered that we are to take you directly to the palace. We can’t let you go to the wall.”
“What?” Shey barked, but the question was almost lost to Tyche’s crazed cackles.
The God of Luck dived into the rear seat of the SUV and stretched out his legs before patting the empty seat next to him. “Change of plans.”
Shey glared at him for a second, then turned his attention to the guard. “I need to go to the wall to assess the situation. Oversee the defensive measures.”
“Queen Noemi has commanded that you travel to the palace first and meet with her. I must follow the queen’s orders. Princess Fiona is currently overseeing the defenses of the western wall.”
Shey’s mouth fell open, and Tyche laughed harder. Apparently, there had been some interesting changes while Shey was away. This was going to be a very intriguing meeting at the palace.